The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control secured the conviction of 58-year-old Isaac Uti and his son, Jonathan Uti (28), who specialised in using ethanol in the production of local gin known as kai-kai or ogogoro in Ogume community, Delta State.

They were convicted for the possession and production of unwholesome processed food and storage of ethanol under unhygienic condition.

They were found guilty of three out of the five counts preferred against them bordering on the possession of unwholesome processed food, which contravened Section 1 of Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act CAP C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3(a) of the same act.

The offence also contravenes 1(3) of the Food and Drug Act. CAP F32 LFN and punishable under 17(1) of the same act.

The second defendant (Isaac) was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment each on counts one and two without any option of fine; while he got 18-month jail term and a fine of N250,000 on the fifth count.

The first defendant (Jonathan) was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each on counts one and two, while he got 18-month sentence on count five without any option of fine.

All the jail terms are to run concurrently.

Justice Faji, in passing the judgment, said that he considered the debilitating effect such unwholesome practice might have had on those who consumed the product before delivering the judgment.

“This act must have impaired people’s health and put their life at great risk,” he stated.

The NAFDAC counsel, Adumen Washington, hailed the judgment, attributing it to diligent prosecution.

He said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous persons who are out to undermine the health of unsuspecting Nigerians.

NAFDAC spokesman, South-South Zone, Mr. Cyril Monye, said in a statement that the long walk to jail for the father and son started sometime in September 2015 when NAFDAC enforcement operatives, led by the Director Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, with detachment of policemen, swooped on them while preparing and selling the illicit product in Ogume community in Ndokwa LGA of Delta state.

About 72 drums of ethanol were discovered in their premises, including cans of formalin and acetic acid suspected to be part of the illicit production.